Winchester 1300 Defender - "SleeperKing" pump gun

[DHart]

I'm calling this the "SleeperKing" because it isn't even on most shotgun folk's radar. I have been researching the 1300 for a few weeks and concluded that it's a fantastic shotgun that many aren't even aware of amid all the whoohaaa over 870's and 500's and 590's (all great guns). After learning about them, I decided I really needed to have a full stocked one and a PGO version. I found these on GunBroker last week, one in very excellent condition and fired very little and the other still NIB. Paid a little over $300 for each (what I consider a bargain). They arrived this week and I made some pictures of them.

The Winchester 1300 Defender (also marketed/branded as FN Police Shotgun) happens to be what I believe is arguably a top choice in a legally short, high capacity defense shotgun.

What other 18" shotgun offers an 8-shot capacity? None that I know of. And this gun, being based on the Model 1400 semi-auto design, is slightly over-built (beefy) for a pump gun. Heavy barrel, heavy one-piece magazine tube, beefy gauge aluminum receiver... inertia-initiated pump action... there is a lot to love about the 1300 Defender.

The polished-blue stocked version close to new condition





and the matte finish PGO version old stock but still NIB, on which I installed a Speedfeed Birdshead grip. This grip is much more ergonomic than the typical pistol grip because the angle is just like the neck of a regular full stock. When fired from about mid-chest height, at close ranges (say 25' or less) the gun is quite controllable and plenty defense accurate. I can empty it into a COM area on a target at 25' no problem.





18" barrel. 8-shot capacity. Fast inertia-based action. Compact and controllable form factor.

Just need a sling and a TLR-1. Nothing else! Awesome close-quarters carry weapon. Of course for out-of-the-house carry, the pistol is the choice, but around this house, this is a very handy weapon.

[Maltese Falcon]

Beautiful pics and firearms you got there! Are you a pro?

Post caught my eye, since I (ahem) have a 1300 Marine...

Tried it with a pistol grip (Ouch!)...now have a Knoxx Recoil-AB stock. (Much better)

.

[DHart]

Maltese Falcon... yes, I shoot guns for fun and pictures to pay for guns.

[Turo]

The Winchester 1300 is my favorite pump shotgun by far! My first gun ever was a 1300 in 20ga, which served me well in my trap and skeet days, and is still serving well as my second line of HD.

I just love how the 1300 has such a smooth action when compared to the other options. (Mossberg and Remington) It's a shame they don't make them anymore.

Here's mine. It's not the defender model, but it doesn't specify which on the gun and I forgot a long time ago:

[base64]

I have a 1300 defender with pistol grip and vertical foregrip set. Great gun!

The 1300 also reliable cycles Aguila mini-shells, which gives you a capacity of 11!

With the PG on I would suggest starting off with low-recoil ammo because it does take some getting use to before I could handle the recoil.



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[DHart]

I have a 1300 defender with pistol grip and vertical foregrip set. Great gun!

The 1300 also reliable cycles Aguila mini-shells, which gives you a capacity of 11!

With the PG on I would suggest starting off with low-recoil ammo because it does take some getting use to before I could handle the recoil.



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Yes, it does take a little getting used to the pistol grip, but after reading so many people saying that it's horrible to shoot with, I was very pleasantly surprised to find how controllable it can be with a little practice and how well shots can be placed at close range. I would NOT choose the PG option for any longer range shooting, of course.

[Turo]

Yes, it does take a little getting used to the pistol grip, but after reading so many people saying that it's horrible to shoot with, I was very pleasantly surprised to find how controllable it can be with a little practice and how well shots can be placed at close range. I would NOT choose the PG option for any longer range shooting, of course.

I forgot to mention that my 20ga is actually very comfortable to use with a pistol grip. Even firing full-power buckshot (albeit 20ga) It's no worse than, and sometimes even softer recoiling than, your average 9mm or .45acp pistol.

[Paradiddle]

Love mine. VERY smooth and fast.

[ZOMBIEHUNTER]

nice shotgun my buddy uses one as a camp gun.

[Reloaderdave]

My 1300 Defender has a synthetic stock & foregrip. It's a great
shotgun!

[den888]

Nice 1300 !!!

[aippi]

This weaopn is by no means a sleeper or under the radar. I would venture that anyone into shotguns knows about this weapon and has either owned one or fired one on several occasions. The Model 12 has been around longer then anyone reading this and a 1200 and 1300 is simply a veriation of the Model 12 which was introduced in 1914. What has doomed the fate of this fine weapon and some others is the Tact-fool fad. Accessory Manufactures produce their products for the weapons that are most common and the most common pumps out their are the 870 and Mossberg 500/590. Yes there are accessories for the Winchesters, but few.

As a young man I saw more Winchesters and Ithica's in service then Remingtons. At some point the Remington's just took over the law enforcement market. There was no Tactical or Home Defence market back then and you used what you had if someone came messing around your place. The fad started and the weapons that had always been there, the 12 and the 37 just got left behind. Damn shame to. Both were discontinued but have resurfaced in several forms. Great guns, but if they had been the "top choice" they would have never left us.

You picked up two fine weapons and gave us old guys little trip down memory lane.

[-hanko]

As a young man I saw more Winchesters and Ithica's in service then Remingtons. At some point the Remington's just took over the law enforcement market. There was no Tactical or Home Defence market back then and you used what you had if someone came messing around your place. The fad started and the weapons that had always been there, the 12 and the 37 just got left behind. Damn shame to. Both were discontinued but have resurfaced in several forms. Great guns, but if they had been the "top choice" they would have never left us.

You picked up two fine weapons and gave us old guys little trip down memory lane.

I'd definitely say the same for the Ithaca...superior to both the 870 and 500, you're just not able to easily hang 5-6 pounds of useless "tactical" crap on it.

-hanko

[BSlacker]

This is a 1300 underneath.

Its brutal to shoot. That is the second red dot the first only lasted 3 shots.

[DHart]

Glad to hear from so many who also appreciate this fine shotgun. The reason I call it a "sleeper" is because when most guys ask the question about what shotgun to buy for HD, typically all that anyone recommends is the 500/590/870. Obviously that's because those are the ones currently available new. But for me the 1300 is a sleeper because while they have been out of production for a number of years (5 years or so?), you can still find NIB and LNIB/LN examples for sale. They are a "sleeper" to most new shotgun buyers, that's all.

I was surprised to find that the 1300 is as stout as it is. The barrel is beefier/thicker than that of the 500/590 (it's about the same thickness as the heavy barrel on the 590A1). The mag tube is a bit beefier as well. And I think the receiver may be also. Get this, my 18" 1300 with wood stock set outweighs my 20" nine-shot 590 (590 without the heat shield on). The 1300, especially with wood stock set, feels very solid and stout in the hand.

I've got a sling on my Birdshead 1300 now and getting used to swinging it in and out of african carry.... which is a really fast and smooth transition. I agree with Clint Smith that a shotgun without a sling is like a handgun without a holster! I view the sling and a simple, small weapon light (TLR-1) as essential on a defense shotgun. And that's about it! Everything you need, nothing you don't need.